| The CONTROL Phase in implementing an | | | | upper and lower end of the mean line. While the mean |
| improvement project is most neglected step but critical | | | | line is easy to determine, since it is an average line of |
| step. It is done to ensure corrective actions or short or | | | | those data. The other two lines is not so straight |
| long term solution put in placed are effective and able | | | | forward. It required some calculations to determine the |
| to yield expected results. It cannot be over | | | | position of the line drawn. |
| emphasized the importance of CONTROL. | | | | I do not intend to work out the detail calculation of the |
| They are some basic tools used in this phase, namely:- | | | | two lines. Briefly, one of the line which is placed above |
| Trend Charting | Control Chart | Documentation | Audit | | | | | the mean line is called the upper control limit (UCL) and |
| On-job training | Re-certification | | | | the other line which is placed below the mean line is |
| In this issue, I will deal with Trend Charting. Not only | | | | called the lower control limit (LCL). These two line are |
| team member need to control the improvement result, | | | | the boundary of the data performance in which should |
| equally important they track its continuity. Corrective | | | | be within these limits at any time. If it is out of the |
| action and short and long term solutions are critical | | | | range, then it indicates an out of control situation. |
| components of the whole Improvement Projects to | | | | Investigation need to be taken place to find out why |
| ensure sustainability of the improvement. However, | | | | the data is out of range. |
| members tends to keep track of the result without | | | | This control chart is useful to monitor the trend of the |
| realizing it is that it is the corrective actions and | | | | performance in term is the control limits. However, in |
| solutions that bring about the improvement. In another | | | | real situation, it is more complicated as there are cases |
| words, the results is the consequences of the actions / | | | | where the data performance is within the two lines, it is |
| solutions. | | | | still consider out of control. Example, if the data move |
| During this phase, least difficulties were encountered | | | | along above the mean line for more than 7 points in a |
| by team members. Perhaps it was due to the fact | | | | row. It is called a "RUN".... There are several others but |
| that most action / solution are taken placed in the | | | | will not be discussed here. |
| work area they are in charge. However, there are | | | | In summary, the trend chart and control chart is used |
| cases where teams are set up for a cross-function | | | | to monitor the performance of the data. However, by |
| project in which action / solution to be taken are in | | | | the time it is plotted onto the chart, it is already history. |
| work areas not the responsibility of the team | | | | Nevertheless, it is still a good tools to track the |
| members. In which case, team members faced with | | | | performance of the data basic on his performance |
| the following difficulties :-a) Action and solution are not | | | | over time. This will tell the team whether their solution |
| carried out consistentlyb) Some of the line workers | | | | provides a long term sustainability performance. In my |
| are not aware of the changesc) Tracking is focus on | | | | next article, I will deal with Documentation and Audit of |
| results but did not extend to the action / solution | | | | solution. |
| Besides tracking and monitoring, it is important that new | | | | Disclaimer: This article is written by the author based |
| action / solution are standardized across the company | | | | on his practical application experience. All definitions |
| with simple yet effective work instructions and | | | | and interpretation of terminology are his point of view |
| Standard Operating Procedures. And they are | | | | and has it has no intention to conflict with experts in |
| periodically audited for compliance. That Management | | | | similar field. The author holds no responsibility for the |
| team has included these items in their operation review | | | | use of this article in any way. |
| meeting until such a time they feel it is sustainable. | | | | Free to reprint or re-publish: All rights reserved. You |
| Control Chart This is a statistical chart that use to | | | | are free to reprint or re-publish this article as long as |
| track the performance of a measures over time. It | | | | you include my resource box at the end of this article. |
| look like a line chart except that it has 3 additional lines | | | | Please ensure that the URL in the resource box |
| around the line chart. One of the three lines is the | | | | remain intact and it is linked to the author's website. |
| Mean or average line, the other two are drawn on the | | | | |